CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

And first,¹ The chief and most principal and necessary question which every one should seriously propound, ought to be that Luk. 18.18. What shall I do to inherit eternal life? Not indeed upon such a corrupt opinion as he did, who thought by his own works merely to obtain this eternal life; No, that cannot be, it's the gift of God: and when we have done all, this eternal life is of grace, not merit, but in a right sense, viz. what way ought we to walk in, what is to be done that at last we may not eternally perish. This (I say) is a most noble and necessary question, if this were more studied and practised, it would advantage the soul ten thousand times more then other unnecessary and impertinent disputations. The best method in moral Philosophy is to begin first with the end, because that is the chiefest, there must be first a knowledge and desire of that: Now all Divinity agreeth with moral Philosophy in this, it's wholly practical. The first thing then in your thoughts and meditations should be, What is that end for which I was made? how may I obtain that eternal life for ⟨p. 68⟩which I came into this world? Oh why are we busy in unnecessary things? for what end and purpose were you made? Was it to heap up wealth? To satisfy the lusts and pleasures of the flesh? No, it was at last to enjoy this eternal life. The Heathen did well call man the horizon of time and eternity; for in respect of his body, he partaketh of time, in respect of his soul eternity: So then the chief and more excellent part of thee, that which makes thee differ from a beast, it is that which relateth to eternity, so that the first and the last thing thou hast to think on is, how to come to this eternal life. The Apostle useth an emphatical word, 1 Tim. 6.12. Lay hold on eternal life; as a man that runneth in a race, at the end thereof stretcheth out himself to lay hold on the garland; so that as he who runneth in a race neglects all the pleasant objects he runneth by, and hath his eye only upon the prize: Thus it ought to be with us, neither riches, honours, friends or earthly advantages ought to be inordinately minded by us, but eternal life that is the prize, upon that our eye is to be, after that we are to pray and strive: But who may not blame himself, and judge himself for neglect herein? Oh how little is this eternal life in thy affections and hopes;